SeaWorld San Antonio has already announced that they are bringing their guests closer to the animals than ever before with Discovery Point. Today, the park confirmed what we’ve been hearing rumors about for quite some time, the park will create a new entrance, and will even continue to increase their entertainment offerings in 2016 as SeaWorld San Antonio grows, and changes. The biggest announcement is that the park will not only use Discovery Point as the place to swim with dolphins, but also as the launching point for the animal attractions as well.
Discovery Point will be the signature new attraction for 2016 at SeaWorld San Antonio. The new attraction will be an upcharge attraction, meaning that they will have to pay extra for it, but the addition will give guest the chance to not only swim with the dolphins, but also get up close with the dolphins in an underwater viewing area.
Discovery Point will be the launching point to three animal experiences-Dolphin Lagoon, Beluga Bay and Sea Lion Shallows.
Dolphin Lagoon will be the place where guests will get a 20-30 minute experience in which they will learn about the dolphins, then enter their world. You’ll be able to touch, give hand signals, and even get a ride on a dolphin.
Beluga Bay will take guests behind the scenes at what was formerly the Beluga Interaction Program. The trainers will work with guests to show them the whales up close, and even get the chance to be in the water with them. Guests will be shown training techniques, get to feed, and even get to touch the whales.
The Sea Lion Interaction Program is now being taken over by “Sea Lion Shallows” and will mark the return of the Sea Lion Program. Guests will get to interact with the Sea Lions, go through some of the training techniques, and even swim with one.
We’ve had the chance to do the Beluga and Sea Lion programs in the past at SeaWorld San Antonio, and it’s an amazing experience that everyone has to do once in their lifetimes. The programs are all designed to take guests behind the scenes, and show them just what a typical day is like for a trainer. It’s truly inspiring.
Also for 2016, as we said earlier this year, Aquatica San Antonio will be getting their own separate entrance. That means that the guests will not have to have a ticket for SeaWorld San Antonio to gain access to Aquatica. The main entrance arches will remain, and the entrance gate will be pushed back further, with Aquatica back to the left. The arches will serve as a main hub for the park.
To make the two parks a better value, SeaWorld San Antonio has simplified the pricing structure. Here’s some highlights:
• Single-day admission to SeaWorld for the 2016 season will be $65 per person
• Aquatica single-day admission starts at $40
• A one-park annual pass to either Aquatica or SeaWorld will be $102
• The best value will be a 2-park annual pass for $135. This includes unlimited admission to both SeaWorld and Aquatica for 12 months, free parking (a $20 savings per visit), 20% in-park purchase discounts, and discounts on swim programs, camps and educational tours, early park entry on select dates, exclusive previews, and no blackout dates.
In celebration of all that is coming new in 2016, for a limited time guests can purchase an annual pass to SeaWorld and receive three months free. This special 15-month annual pass membership offers unlimited admission to SeaWorld San Antonio. Additionally, guests receive free parking, in-park discounts and access to all of the park’s upcoming special events.
The park will also roll out several huge special events, all of which will be included in admission
• Wild Days kicks off weekends in February featuring interactive shows from top ambassadors of animal rescue and rehabilitation including the ever-popular Jack Hanna.
• Spring into Night is SeaWorld San Antonio’s spring break festival featuring Texan lumberjacks competing against Alaskan rivals, and also includes special shows and nightly fireworks.
• Seven Seas Food Festival sets sail weekends in April and May. Guests can sample and sip their way around the park’s craft beers, unique wines and global fusion food.
• Summer Nights provides later park hours and seasonal entertainment.
• Howl-O-Scream transforms SeaWorld San Antonio from a theme park to a scream park during weekends in October with sinister houses and “terror-tories.”
• Christmas Celebration brings waves of holiday cheer, millions of lights, and Santa in November and December.
The park is definitely gearing up for big things, and it seems like this is just the beginning. 2016 looks like it will be a huge year for SeaWorld San Antonio.
Stay tuned for more from SeaWorld, and be sure to get social with us on Facebook and follow along with us on Twitter @BehindThrills for the latest updates!
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